Fluid down the drain following print closures

Fluid Technologies, the Australian-owned independent supplier of green printing chemistry and consumables will cease trading, March 1 after six years competing with the multinational suppliers. The closure of the business will cost three admin staff their jobs.

Kel Drewett, founder and managing director, blames the increasing consolidation of the industry for the closure. He is of the opinion that the company did not fail; “It simply is no longer viable to continue in the current state of the market.

“The past 18 months have been tough with around 30% of our customer base disappearing due to closures. Everyone in the industry is in the same boat whether they’re ink or paper suppliers. It’s hard to replace a sale when companies disappear and I don’t think people realise how bad it is out there,” he said.

“To those that have supported Fluid Technologies please accept my sincere and heartfelt thanks. Your faith in our innovative technologies and the company was very much appreciated and ultimately rewarded,” said Drewett.

The six-year-old Australian company was having a tough time competing against product from large multinationals. The closure of Fluid with its 15% market share in Australia and New Zealand is likely to start an intense sales campaign in eco press chemistry. The 35-year industry veteran will remain within the press chemistry sector under new employment, although he declined to divulge where.

“The outpouring of customer emails and phone calls over our announcement has brought a tear to my eye. For over six years we changed the landscape of press chemistry here in Australia,” he said.